Sep 22 Celebrate Johnny Appleseed Day

John Chapman, often called Johnny Appleseed, was born on September 26, 1774 in Leominster, Massachusetts. His father, Nathaniel Chapman, was a farmer and a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Sadly, John’s mother died of tuberculosis during the war. His father apprenticed him to a local apple orchard.

John took his knowledge and expanded the business to parts of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, including the northern counties of present day West Virginia, becoming an American legend in the process.

Remember Johnny Appleseed with apple-themed activities this week.

~ Visit an apple orchard as a family, and pick up some crisp apples for munching later.

~ Make some caramel apples and roll them in chopped peanuts, coconut, colorful sprinkles, or mini-chocolate chips.

~ Buy several varieties of apples and slice them up for a blind taste test for your family. Members can vote on which ones they like the most. Try ones like Gala, Honeycrisp. Pink Lady, Braeburn, Fuji or Cortland.

~ Or try your hand at one of these great apple recipes that are beyond the normal apple pie or crisp.

Brown pork loin in vegetable oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper. Once browned, place in a greased slow cooker, along with the apple cider. Mix apples and squash with the spices and herbs and place around pork loin. Cover and cook on low 5-6 hours.